I don't know if anyone else finds this statement a little funny. It's almost ironic because the writer is writing very formally to reach an informal audience. I found this annoying and thought that it'd be more productive if she attempted to relate to us, rather than basically saying "Don't do it." Administrators should try and think of productive ways to appeal to the audience of the students in order to make them not want to participate. Rather, than simply attempting to kill this tradition. Most of the advertisements I have read about not participating in State Patty's Day are poorly written. They have no meaning. No motive to not participate in the holiday. How do they think those advertisements are appealing to the students?
Everywhere you go around campus there's something saying that Penn State does not support this holiday. Whether they support it or not, rather than trying to stop it, they should make other fun events on that day for the people who don't want to participate. I've seen events about doing volunteer work instead. What audience is that appealing to? Certainly not the students who are excited for this day. They should come up with fun activities rather than saying "Hey don't have fun, oh and do community service."
"No more than one guest on State Patty's Day." Rather than making rash rules, administrators should take time to analyze the audience being affected by these rules. Careless things may happen on State Patty's Day but silly rules like "No more than one guest" aren't helping. I found that the more productive route Penn State has chosen is by attempting to interest students in other events. This is a more proactive way of attempting to get young people from being irresponsible, rather than implementing rules.
While these rules may be effective in keeping alcohol out of the buildings, it won’t keep it out of the hands of the students. Therefore, administrators should try to understand the audience who they're trying to reach, and consequently make productive changes rather that making rules rashly.
Having lived in State College for 18 years, I have experienced first hand as a townie how destructive State Patty's can be. How dare these students come into MY hometown and destroy everything? However, now that I am a student, I agree with you that the administrators are not going about this in the right way.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, public statements of disapproval by the administration really won't have have much of an effect, especially wih thepoor writing style with which they try to convey the message...It comes across as almost comical sometimes. I have actually seen some alternative activities advertised around campus (sKate Patty's Day at the ice rink). Let's hope for the best...
ReplyDeleteI think that there are better ways that administrators could reach out to students. Personally, I have heard some stories of what alcohol has done to young people recently that has really made me put it all into perspective. I feel like showing students what abusing alcohol can do to them instead of simply saying we do not condone it would be more effective!
ReplyDeleteAs Kate mentioned above, let's hope for the best. It's got to get addressed in some fashion... and here's hoping that they'll be effective ones.
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